Kusk Lake | Getting Help from Viewers | Kayaking Through Forests | Paddling Sudbury

In this video, we explore some intriguing questions and enjoy a variety of scenic views. You'll see some rapids and join me as I paddle through a forest. Today, I'm navigating Kusk Lake, or is it Rat Lake? We'll try to figure that out. I'll paddle over 13 km (8 miles), taking my kayak to places I usually wouldn't be able to reach. One of the highlights of creating these videos is interacting with viewers. I truly appreciate when viewers provide additional information about the topics or locations featured. For instance, a viewer named SayItAin't_So has filled in many gaps in my historical accounts with hard-to-find details. Thanks to these insightful comments, I continue to learn more about my community and other places I visit.
A few viewers recommended I try the Merlin app to help identify birds by their songs. According to the app, the chorus of chirping you hear is from Red-Winged Blackbirds. After leaving the bird-filled forest, I headed east toward the old golf course. In preparation for this video, I reached out to a local viewer known as SimbaJohn. He informed me that the lake was originally called Rat Lake due to its high muskrat population, which oddly enough, was a relief to hear. The name was changed to Kusk Lake around 1970 for unknown reasons, which I'm okay with.
SimbaJohn also shared that over the years, he has seen various wildlife around Kusk Lake, including Ospreys, Deer, and even a rare Cougar. Just the other day, he spotted a Bald Eagle flying over the lake. He mentioned that Indigenous artifacts, such as arrowheads, have been found around the lake and river. Due to the high water levels, I had another chance to paddle in areas that are usually inaccessible by boat. I enjoyed a few peaceful minutes paddling among the trees before making my way to Little Rat Lake, or is it Little Kusk Lake? Whatever the name, right on cue, I was greeted by a Bald Eagle, perhaps the same one SimbaJohn saw earlier. Thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoyed the video.
#SudburyPlaces, #PlacesInSudbury, #SudburyVisitPlaces, #SudburyCanada, #DiscoverSudbury, #SudburyTourism, #Kayaking, #NatureExploration, #WildlifeAdventure, #KuskLake, #RatLake, #Paddling, #BirdWatching, #OutdoorLife, #NatureLovers, #ExploreTheOutdoors, #AdventureVlog, #ScenicViews, #NaturePhotography, #WildlifeSpotting, #BaldEagleSighting, #HistoricalExploration, #IndigenousArtifacts, #Muskrats, #BirdIdentification, #RedWingedBlackbirds, #KayakJourney, #NatureCommunity
Sources:
Many thanks to SimbaJohn.
Gear:
Akaso Brave 7 and/or DJI Osmo Pocket
Sony a6400
DJI Mini 2
Hohem iSteady Gimbal
Pelican 10' Kayak and/or Riot Bayside 12 HV (High Volume) Kayak
Harmony Sea Passage Paddle
Salus PFD

[@ecttreker9816]

Always great to get away. Thanks for letting us tag along. 👍👍

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you so much, it always nice to have you come along.

[@kanukkarhu]

Another amazing day outside. Looks like the day was perfect! Love the spring, before the bugs get really bad... What a treat to see a spot so rich with history and wildlife. When I lived in Manitoba, the red wing black birds were everywhere. I'll never forget their call. And the Merlin app is amazing. Glad you found it! Thanks Daryl!

[@flynorthprod]

Thanks Jeff. I had used another app for birds before Merlin was suggested to me and while accurate, it was clumsy to use. The Merlin app is so much easier. Thanks as always for checking in. Have a great, short week.

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

And thank you Daryl for all the little histories lessens from the Crater 👍

[@flynorthprod]

Hi Marc. I love living in the crater. 😁 Thanks as always for watching.

[@meruhan-kazuchan]

Interesting kayaking through forests. I enjoyed watching sceneries. NIce sharing.

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you kindly. Greetings from Canada.

[@carolannontario]

Absolutely wonderful! What gorgeous scenery - very enjoyable to watch!

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you very much, I appreciate your continued support!

[@StartLivingNow1963]

Another Awesome Adventure Thank You Daryl🙂❤👍Beautiful Area for Kayaking 🙂🙂🙂

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you Robert, glad you're making content again.

[@JimHayesHiking]

Always nice to get helpful input from viewers. Muskrat lake would have sounded better than just rat,lol. With a few exceptions all birds sound pretty much alike to me. Great seeing the Bald Eagle there at the end! Have a great week my friend.

[@flynorthprod]

I'm with you Jim. And some individual species of birds have different calls, like the Chicadee. It makes the job of learning them so much more difficult. The Bald Eagle is surprisingly rare up in these parts but they seem to be making a comeback in recent years, nice to see. Thanks for watching and have a great week heading into your long weekend. ~ Daryl

[@JenniferLupine]

Beautiful kayaking on a calm day! Interesting to paddle through the trees! I always enjoy your sharing history and insights - extra special to learn even more from your community of viewers. I think I like the new lake name too. 👌😄

[@flynorthprod]

Thanks Jen. I truly do appreciate it when people help me out, like you did when you suggested the Merlin app to me awhile back. Thanks again. ~ Daryl

[@TheWanderingWulfs]

A beautiful lake to kayak on! ❤ Very peaceful. 😊 We agree that it's fun to interact with others on videos. Loving all the bird sounds. 🐦 Kusk is a cooler name for sure. 😉 The Bald Eagle was a nice ending. 👌

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate your support!

[@NatureAndOther]

Very nice canoeing, beautiful nature ❤👍

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you, Roni. Have a nice week.

[@LiveTheWoodLife]

Looks like a great day! Thanks for taking us along.

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you so much for joining me.

[@FromAboveStudio]

Amazing shots my friend 🤩 Well done

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you kindly, much appreciated!

[@TravelHungryForLife]

Wonderful sharing here have a great weekend

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you and the same to you!

[@OthmarsVlog]

well done and thumbs up 👍🙏💥

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you kindly.

[@NorthernElevations]

That was very cool when you were kayaking through all the trees! Happy May long weekend ☺️

[@flynorthprod]

It was a really fun and peaceful experience among those trees. Thanks for watching.

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

Beautiful day for a kayak out on the water. It's nice there is an app for birdsong 😊 I enjoyed your relaxing and peaceful trip.

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you for checking it out. One day, I'll know more birds than just ducks and geese. 😀

[@jsteelsadventureandvariety4545]

Glad it worked out and you spotted the Bald Eagle:) lake looked awesome Daryl especially in the forest part! still don't know what lake to call it lol enjoyed :)

[@flynorthprod]

Thanks Janson. I think it's officially Kusk but Rat Lake still shows up on online maps. Have a good one!

[@riversandcoffee]

We see a truck driving over a bridge... Lol. It was a relief to know the naming of rat Lake... A few years back I kayaked on a lake called mud Lake.... It was crystal clear... Now I need to go back and find out where the name came from. Thanks for the fun paddle 👍👍✌️

[@flynorthprod]

Lol! Yes, I assumed it was named for 'Rats' - glad it wasn't. We have a Mud Lake very near here too, maybe I'll check that one out. Thanks for the idea! Cheers. ~ Daryl

[@simbajohn1882]

Hi Daryl, great video. I enjoyed it. You got some great shots. Thankyou for the acknowledgement and i am glad you could share the information to the viewers. We are blessed to live in this part of the world. It would be nice if the lake was called musquash lake (the ojibway name for muskrat). The eastern cougar i spotted was jet black and was scoping out a deer. Very elusive as i have only seen one in my 35 years living in the bush here. Years ago there used to be alot of skunks around. They are very scarce now and i am not sure why their numbers seem limited. May be due to the explosive population growth of raccoons. Apparently they will prey on baby animals. According to an old friend who passed away a few years ago who was a pioneer and trapper on lake panache, the first raccoon was trapped in the area in 1936. No local trappers knew what it was but a trapper from united states identified it. Raccoons are common in the states. It was sold at the fur auction for 125 dollars according to Dan. A bird species that used to be common here but i or anyone i have talked to, havent seen in a few years is the canada jay. Also known as grey jay or whiskey jack. There was a study done in algonquin park ( south of here) a few years ago on the canada jay because of declining numbers. It was found that with climate change the little pieces of meat that they stored in the folds in the bark of the spruce trees would rot with warming trends in the winter. I wonder how far north these birds had to go. These birds are meat eaters and we used to help them through the winter with pieces of fat left on the feeder. I miss seeing them as they were very intelligent and would tap on the windows with their beaks to get your attention if you forgot to put fat out for them. Any way i better go, my faithful pooch simba is rolling over giving me a hint he wants a belly rub. Lol. Take care, john

[@flynorthprod]

Thanks John. I really appreciate all the help you provided for this video. You are a wealth of knowledge so don't be surprised if I reach out again sometime. Thanks again! ~ Daryl

[@simbajohn1882]

​@@flynorthprodyou are very welcome. Glad to help anytime

[@undronenellozaino]

Nice work, congrats! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙋🏻

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you very much; your channel is awesome.

[@hikingoutdoorfamily]

So nice. It's fantastic your local viewers are giving you great information. I also love the Merlin app. I really liked the section where you kayaked through the trees - really unique.

[@flynorthprod]

Thanks very much. Kayaking through a forest was a new experience for me and a lot of fun. Thanks for watching.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

This lake is on my to-paddle list, didn't know about the two names! Pretty neat experience, paddling through a forest.

[@flynorthprod]

Yes it was. I imagine the everglades would be akin to this, the only things missing were the alligators. 😉

[@ervinslens]

Man this is outstanding, scenery is absolutely gorgeous and so unique.

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you my friend, it's much appreciated.

[@3degreeimages]

Great lake to kayak on. I dont see many kayak videos on my feed. Thanks for sharing.

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you so much, I'm so glad you watched.

[@CraigKoppel]

Wow eight miles is a really long distance for a kayak. I never paddled that far. That was really neat kayaking through the trees. I like Kusk Lake better too. 👍

[@flynorthprod]

Hey Craig, thanks. I find kayaking is a lot easier than hiking nowadays. I'm not sure I could walk 8 miles but I know I can do 10 miles in a day in a kayak without too much difficulty. Thanks as always for watching. ~ Daryl

[@IceBearHalfwayPoint]

For some reason, the map of the lake looks like a giraffe head to me. 😂🦒 I love interacting with the people I watch. It makes me feel connected to the community, and I get to talk about friends' experiences. Looks like such a peaceful trip! 😃👊

[@flynorthprod]

Thank you very much. I just watched the beginning of my video again and you're right! It does look like a giraffe's head! How did I not see that before? It was a very nice day out on the lake. Thanks as always for watching.

[@tripmood365]

Thanks for the good video, such a beautiful nature trip. Keep it up mate. The journey continues. Summer greetings from Helsinki 🇫🇮 ✌

[@flynorthprod]

Thanks for watching!

[@iCanoe_]

What a great day to be out on the water. That lake looked like glass! So cool to paddle through a flooded forest. It reminds me of the Minesing Wetlands. Not sure how you managed to avoid the bugs though… but all good things come to those who wait! :p Always magical to see a bald eagle! 👍

[@flynorthprod]

Lol! Yes, the bugs have found me now. The Mosquitoes especially. It really was a perfect day, no breeze to speak of; the wind typically howls up that channel from the west. Thanks very much for watching. ~ Daryl

[@agesadventures]

Yes, those were Red-Winged Blackbirds. I recognise that sound😁 What a great way to get out and explore! You're going to need to get a two-seater kayak so you can bring your trusty sidekick with you😀 I like the picture of the muskrat! Great to see you using AI in your videos😊

[@flynorthprod]

Hi Age, I would love to take Mick with me but he would hate it - he just loves to walk. Unfortunately we haven't been doing much of that lately and he's been giving me the ole stink-eye every now and then. 😁I like fooling around with AI - I'm hoping to use more of it going forward. Thanks as always for checking in. ~ Daryl

[@agesadventures]

@@flynorthprod He'll start biting holes in your kayaks😁

[@Sayitaint_So]

I have my suspicions !!! The Fielding were active in this area and they married locals of Norse ancestry. They likely all paddled this area as far as Spanish river in their era and in researching the topic it seems to link Kusk to carriage makers or something of that nature. Could be !!! The Anderson farm in Lively likely connects the dots somehow. Mrs Fielding ( the immigrant ) was a Caesar but her father had likely been of an Anders bloodline before changing his name as he moved towards North America in the late 1800's. In theory it seems to fit !!! 🤔🤪Paddled Kusk to Grassy and ended up at Ella Lake. Another time paddled Kusk to the falls near McCharles Lake and back. Nice day trips.

[@flynorthprod]

Hi. Yes, that family still has a presence there; I'm pretty sure they own the equestrian farm now. Thanks for adding the extra bits of history to the story, it's much appreciated. You're right, McCharles Lake to Ella Lake makes for some excellent paddling. Thanks again for visiting.

[@jonkleppe6130]

Watching your video from Narvik, Norway, where I am living now. My parents used to own a camp on Kusk lake very close, or at your put in. Small world. :)

[@flynorthprod]

That is so nice to hear, thank you. It truly is a small world... I once had a coworker named Ulf Kleppe who's ancestry was Norwegian. I doubt he's related but who knows. Anyway, Kusk is a beautiful spot and I'm glad you told me about your family's connection to it. I hope it brought back good memories. Take care.

[@jonkleppe6130]

@@flynorthprod Ulf is my brother. :)

[@flynorthprod]

What a coincidence! I haven't seen him in years. I hope he's doing well. Please say 'hello' for me if you get the chance. Thanks! Daryl.

[@CantGetHandle8]

Just love the blue sky, blue water and sound of your dipping paddle, Daryl. Very curious : you didn’t comment on the vast number of trees in the water - it looked like you were paddling in the Louisiana Bayou or the Florida Everglades (I’ve kayaked through tree’s in the latter). Do you know the explanation for the high water /flooding in this area this year? Certainly can’t be snow melt! Let me know your thoughts. Cheers! RC

[@flynorthprod]

Thanks Rob! Yes, I was thinking it must be like paddling through the everglades a little myself. The spots where the trees were under water are very low-lying areas, one is almost a marsh during the summer. But every year, the river rises considerably and those spots get flooded out. So it's really nothing unusual but it is the first time I've ventured in there at this time of year so I was a little surprised the river/lake was still that high. Thanks for checking it out.

[@brighteng7938]

Great video my friend Kayaking is challenging I am new here and let's connect

[@flynorthprod]

Welcome. Thank you for visiting my channel.